Literary unveiling

Friday

Jun 5, 2009 at 12:01 AMSep 10, 2014 at 12:01 PM

PETERSBURG - Visitors to the major unveiling of the Petersburg Library Foundation's plans for a new library were greeted by giant paintings of books and library employees sharing details of the new building.The Petersburg Library Foundation brought toge

PETERSBURG - Visitors to the major unveiling of the Petersburg Library Foundation's plans for a new library were greeted by giant paintings of books and library employees sharing details of the new building.

The Petersburg Library Foundation brought together about 200 of the city's business, political and community leaders on Thursday night to show them the future of the library in the city.

The new 56,000 square foot library facility - with a $16 million price tag - will replace the current 85-year-old library. The new building will provide ample space for the resources, and services needed and desired by residents of the city and all patrons of the library, according to foundation officials.

In a video presentation narrated by Daphne Maxwell Reid, a member of the Petersburg Library Foundation Board of Directors, some of those features were highlighted - including a children's area called imagination station, self check-out desks, a gallery space and a cafe. Mayor Annie M. Mickens said that she was grateful for the partnership between the city and the foundation.

"The new library will redefine the social, cultural and learning hub of the city," Mickens said. She added that it is the opportunity to literally change the face of the city. "Dreams do come true and a dream delayed is not a dream denied."

The Rev. Andrew J. White, capital campaign co-chair, said that some people have asked him "why now?"

"At the beginning of 'A Tale of Two Cities' by Charles Dickens, he says, 'It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.' Good things can happen in bad times," White said.

He said that the library is designed to sustain the city's needs to 2050 or beyond.

"It would be a sin against our future if we didn't provide for the future," White said.

One third of the $16 million needed to build the library has already been raised, said Capital Campaign Co-Chair Cindy Morgan.

"The goals of the library foundation are that this will be an indispensable public resource," said Morgan, publisher of The Progress-Index.

Wayne M. Crocker, director of library services at the Petersburg Library, said that the event Thursday marked the beginning of numerous efforts to make the library a reality.

"I'm looking forward to a day when we're not limited to the programs we can provide," Crocker said. He added that he's also looking forward to the day when instead of library personnel visiting daycare centers, they will be able to visit the library because there will be ample space for programs and plenty of parking for vans and buses.

Robert "Bob" Walker, chairman of the Petersburg Library Foundation Board, said that the city was gracious in providing $5 million in funds for the new library.

"We could build a $5 million library, but the city needs every square foot of this facility," Walker said of the designed library. He added that he expects that demolition of the structures on the former Crossroads Ford site at the corner of Market and Washington streets - future site of the library - will begin in August or September of this year.

"Hopefully in 2010, you will see a huge change in this area," Walker said indicating that he hopes to see construction begin in the early part of next year. "We do think it's time to do it."

Mickens said that she's looking forward to seeing every brick being put in place.

She wasn't the only one to share the sentiments about the future construction project.

"I'm looking forward to it," said William Talley V. He added that with a daughter, he's looking forward to taking advantage of some of the services that will be offered at the library when it is completed.

The Rev. Grady Powell said that he thinks that the library will be one of the focuses for the city.

"It will come together," Powell said. "It's the right place. It's the right time."

" F.M. Wiggins may be reached at 732-3456, ext. 3254 or fwiggins@progress-index.com.

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